tadepalligudem l wednesday l may 20, 2026 l `9.00 l PAGES 12 l city EDITION RBI to transfer over `3 lakh cr to govt to cushion economic stress The Reserve Bank of India may transfer a record surplus of up to `3.4 lakh crore this week to the government, according to a Bloomberg report Board to meet on Friday to clear dividend Payout could EXCEED budget ESTIMATE RBI’s board will meet on Friday to approve the dividend, the news agency reported quoting sources. The surplus, generated through RBI’s activities in the year ended March, will shore up the government’s finances in the ongoing fiscal 2026-27 as the crude price rise inflates India’s import bill, widens the current account deficit, and exacerbates the foreign fund selloff ■ ■ RBI pays the dividend from income earned on its investments, foreign-exchange holdings and fees from printing currency notes In FY27 Budget, the government estimated `3.16 lakh crore in payouts from the RBI, state-run lenders, and other financial institutions. The central bank typically accounts for the bulk of this transfer `2.7 lakh cr RBI’s dividend transfer to the government last year CHENNAI ■ MADURAI ■ VIJAYAWADA ■ BENGALURU ■ KOCHI ■ HYDERABAD ■ VISAKHAPATNAM ■ COIMBATORE ■ KOZHIKODE ■ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ■ BELAGAVI ■ BHUBANESWAR ■ SHIVAMOgGA ■ MANGALURU ■ TIRUPATI ■ TIRUCHY ■ TIRUNELVELI ■ SAMBALPUR ■ HUBBALLI ■ DHARMAPURI ■ KOTTAYAM ■ KANNUR ■ VILLUPURAM ■ KOLLAM ■ TADEPALLIGUDEM ■ NAGAPATTINAM ■ THRISSUR ■ KALABURAGI US extends waiver on oil sanctions The US extended its ‘waiver’ on sanctions for the purchase of seaborne Russian crude already in transit for the third consecutive month. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced “a temporary 30-day general licence to provide the most vulnerable nations with the ability to temporarily access Russian oil currently stranded at sea” Standards for blended petrol notified The Centre has notified fresh fuel standards for petrol blended with up to 30% ethanol. However, the notification only sets out the technical specifications and quality parameters required for introducing these higher ethanol blends in the market. It does not make the nationwide rollout or sale of E30 fuel mandatory at this stage Petrol, diesel prices hiked for second time in 4 days Fuel prices up 90 paise/litre; OMCs still losing nearly `750 cr a day Use ammonium sulphate instead of urea: ICAR RAKESH K U MAR @ New Delhi four days after increasing petrol and diesel prices by a steep `3 per litre, state-owned oil marketing companies (OMCs) on Tuesday raised automobile fuel prices by another 90 paise, taking the cumulative hike to `3.90. Following the latest increase, petrol and diesel prices rose to `98.64 and `91.58 per litre, respectively, from `97.77 and `90.67 in the Delhi national capital region. In Mumbai, petrol prices rose 91 paise to `107.59 per litre, while diesel prices increased by 94 paise to `94.08 per litre. In Kolkata, petrol climbed to `109.70 per litre, while diesel was priced at `96.07. In Chennai, petrol prices increased by 82 paise to `104.49 per litre, while diesel prices rose by 86 paise to `96.11. On May 15, the three OMCs—Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation, and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation—raised fuel prices for the first time in four years citing huge under-recoveries (selling below cost of production/procurement). The conflict in West Asia due to the war between Iran and US has disrupted the movement of cargo through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route that transports nearly 20% of global crude supply. Global crude oil prices have surged by over 50% due to the conflict in the region. Brent crude was trading at $110.9 a barrel. The cumulative hike of `3.90 is still lower than the `10-15 increase expected by many analysts. Reacting to the earlier price hike of `3, the petroleum ministry had on Monday said despite the price revision, OMCs were still losing nearly `750 crore per day by selling petrol, diesel and LPG below cost. Earlier, Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri had said that the under-recoveries of OMCs would cross `2 lakh crore in the first quarter of FY27. The latest round of hikes is expected to further feed into retail inflation. Analysts estimate that the fuel price increase alone could push inflation up by 20-25 basis points in June. E x p r e s s Re a d SIR aims at clear & transparent rolls Vijayawada: As Andhra Pradesh begins its first Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in 24 years, the Election Commission has launched a massive exercise focused on door-to-door verification, removal of illegal entries, accuracy and transparency of electoral rolls | P4 AP rolls out energy, EV mobility reforms Vijayawada: In a major step towards building cleaner and energy-efficient cities, the MA&UD Department has unveiled a twin set of reforms. They include a Statewide Energy Conservation Drive across ULBs and PPP-based proposals for EV charging and shared e-mobility services | P3 Bharat Forge signs MoU with AP govt Vijayawada: In a major boost to India’s defence manufacturing ambitions and AP’s emerging aerospace corridor, Bharat Forge Limited has signed an MoU with the Government of Andhra Pradesh to establish the country’s first privatesector marine gas turbine facility in Visakhapatnam | P4 J I T E N DRA CHO U B EY @ New Delhi Just four days after the price hike, the Modi government has once again increased the prices of petrol and diesel. Having set the stage, preaching about savings while shifting the burden of their failures onto the public - this effort is in full swing Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress President The sad thing is that a severe economic storm is coming, which no one can stop, which we have never experienced in our lives Rahul Gandhi, Congress leader Even after the recent revision of 91 paise per litre, fuel prices in India have risen by only about 4%, among the lowest increases anywhere in the world outside heavily subsidised Gulf economies Amit Malviya, BJP IT cell head WITH the Iran war triggering a shortage of fertilizers and skyrocketing of prices, the Centre has asked states to consider ammonium sulphate as a substitute for urea in rice cultivation. In a recent communication to state governments, the director-general of Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) suggested ammonium sulphate be used for paddy as an affordable option. ICAR comes under the Union agriculture ministry . The rationale behind the move is that while urea is in short supply am, monia sulphate can fill the gap. India has the capacity to manufacture ammonia sulphate. Also, it can be imported from alternative sources such as South Korea, Japan, Belgium, China, and Russia. Till now, India used to import most of its fertilizer requirements from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Oman, and Israel—all of which are impacted by the war. India manufactures three out of the four key fertilizers—urea, di-ammonium phosphate (DAP), muriate of potash (MOP), and complex (combination of N, P K nutrients)—with MOP being , 100% import dependent. However, the domestic production is not in sync with the rising demand and imports are crucial to meet the requirements. However, scientists warn against promoting ammonium sulphate in crops. Dr Virender Singh Lather, former principal scientist at ICAR, said high doses of sulphur can be toxic to crops grown in waterlogged and heavy soil conditions, like paddy . Intrusion of fishing boats into coastal waters of AP will not be tolerated: CM Express News Service @ Nellore Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has made it clear that his government will not compromise on protecting the livelihood and rights of fishermen, asserting that intrusion of neighbouring States’ boats into AP’s waters will not be tolerated. Participating in the Matsyakarula Sevalo programme at Kavali on Tuesday, he said, “We will not allow anyone to intrude into our coastal waters. There is no question of fear or compromise when it comes to the livelihood of our fishermen. The moment an unauthorised boat enters Andhra waters, an alert message reaches the Collector and the administration immediately becomes vigilant.” Highlighting the welfare Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu having lunch with a fisherman’s family during his visit to Kavali in Nellore district on Tuesday | Express schemes, he said fishermen are being provided `20,000 financial assistance during the fishing ban period. The State government has deposited `262 crore into the bank ac- counts of 1,30,796 fishermen families this year, compared to `243 crore provided to 1,21,433 families last year. Andhra Pradesh accounts for nearly 80% of the country’s Efforts begin to repatriate 7 historic copper plate charters from Scotland U s h a P e r i @ Visakhapatnam After the successful repatriation of the Leiden Copper Plate charters from the Netherlands to India, efforts are now underway to bring back seven historic copper plate charters currently preserved at the Edinburgh University Library in Scotland, United Kingdom. The copper plate charters, dating between the 5th and 16th centuries CE, are considered important historical records that provide insights into India’s political, cultural and administrative history . “Of the seven charters, six were originally collected from present-day Andhra Pradesh and one from Gujarat by noted civil servant and scholar Sir Walter Elliot during the 19th century The plates were later . donated to the Edinburgh University Library in 1947 by Major Hans F. Eggeling,” stated K Munirathnam Reddy Director , (Epigraphy), Archaeological The historic copper plate charters, currently preserved at the Edinburgh University Library in Scotland | Express Survey of India (ASI). The charters include the Mangalur charter of Pallava Maharaja Simhavarman II (444 CE), the Uruvapalli charter of Pallava Maharaja Simhavarman II (447 CE), the charter of Gurjara king Dadda II Prashantaraga (638 CE), the charter of Western Chalukya emperor Vijayaditya Satyashraya (700 CE), the charter of Eastern Chalukya king Vijayaditya III (9th century CE), and two Vijayanagara-era charters belonging to emperors Narasimha Raya II (1504 CE) and Sriranga II (1508 CE). The ASI Director stated that preliminary discussions had begun regarding the repatriation of the copper plates to India. “The charters are valuable cultural artefacts that throw light on various aspects of Indian history and heritage,” he noted. The Netherlands formally returned a set of 11th century Chola-era copper plates to India on May 17 during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the European country. Known as the Leiden Copper Plates, the royal charters had been preserved for more than a century at the University’s Asian Library The collection . comprises 21 large and three small copper plates bound together by a bronze ring bearing the royal seal of Chola king Rajendra Chola I. Days before repoll, TMC’s Falta candidate drops out S U B HE N D U MAI T I @ Kolkata Just two days before repoll in West Bengal’s violence-hit Falta assembly constituency, Trinamool Congress candidate Jahangir Khan, a close aide of party general secretary and MP of Diamond Harbour Abhishek Banerjee, withdrew his candidature, triggering calls for his suspension. Falta is among the seven assembly segments in the Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha constituency in South 24 Parganas district, Yet no TMC heav- yweight, including Abhishek, went for canvassing there, leaving Khan to fend for himself. For the record, Khan said Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari’s promise of a special package for the area’s development prompted him to take the call. Several TMC MLAs, including Kunal Ghosh, Ritobrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha demanded his suspension. While Suvendu said Khan “ran away as he won’t get any polling agent”, the TMC blamed it on intimidation of party workers, alleging the poll panel “continues to turn a blind eye”. Talking heads Prime Minister Narendra Modi with (from L) his Nordic counterparts Jonas Gahr Støre (Norway), Petteri Orpo (Finland), Ulf Kristersson (Sweden), Kristrún Frostadóttir (Iceland) and Mette Frederiksen (Denmark) during the Nordic-India Summit, in Oslo, Norway on Tuesday. They agreed to elevate their relationship to a Green Technology and Innovation Strategic Partnership | PTI shrimp exports, the Chief Minister said, stressing the importance of strengthening the fisheries sector. Fisheries remains one of the largest livelihood provider in the State after agriculture and construction, he said. Encouraging diversification, Naidu urged fishermen families, especially women, to take up seaweed cultivation. Seaweed farming could generate substantial income and improve living standards of people in coastal villages. “When men go for fishing, women can cultivate seaweed and earn additional income,” the Chief Minister said. Naidu highlighted that the government has taken up construction of nine fishing harbours and eight fish landing centres at a cost of `3,256 crore to strengthen marine infrastructure across the State.  P4 US approves follow-on support for Apache, M777s Express News Service @ New Delhi The United States has cleared $428 million worth of sustainment and logistics support for India’s Apache attack helicopters and M777 howitzers, both of which form key elements of the Indian military’s frontline combat capability . According to notifications issued on Tuesday by the US Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, the US State Department cleared a $198.2 million Foreign Military Sale (FMS) package for follow-on support services for India’s Apache helicopter fleet, along with a separate $230 million package for sustainment support for the M777 ultra-light howitzer system. The Apache package includes engineering, logistics and technical support services, spares, repairs, training, technical publications and other programme-related assistance, with Boeing and Lockheed Martin being the principal contractors. India had signed a government-to-government deal with the US in September 2015 for 22 AH-64E Apaches for the Indian Air Force under a contract worth around $2.1 billion. They were delivered between 2019 and 2020 and are primarily deployed at Pathankot and Jorhat. Subsequently in February 2020, India , signed another contract worth around $800 million for six AH64E Apaches for the Army Aviation Corps. Deliveries, delayed due to supply-chain disruptions, began in 2025, with the helicopters assigned to an Army aviation squadron at Jodhpur. In a separate notification, the US announced the approval of sustainment support for the M777s — part of a $737 million deal signed in November 2016. Konaseema dist set to implement plasma technology for garbage disposal S T r i m u r t h u l u @ Amalapuram BR Ambedkar Konaseema district has taken the initiative to provide an effective solution to the waste management problem in urban local bodies. For the first time in the State, the district is set to implement the plasma technology for waste management on an experimental basis. Though this technology is already being implemented in nine cities, including Bhubaneswar, Mumbai and Hyderabad, District Collector Mahesh Kumar Ravirala has taken the lead in introducing it as a pilot project in Andhra Pradesh. Operating at a temperature of 1,000 to 1,200 degrees Celsius using electricity, the plasma technology machine burns all types of waste. It also processes chemical components, including hazardous materials such as glass, fibre, and electronic waste. Under the plasma technology , 95% of waste is incinerated, leaving only 5% as ash. Plasma Technology is one of the projects of MIRAI Clean Equipment procured at a cost of `6.89 cr The plasma technology equipment costing `6.89 crore has been procured by the Konaseema district administration for the pilot project. The installation of the machinery will be completed by the end of May. Under the plasma technology, 95% of waste is incinerated Energy Solutions Private Limited. The machine operates in compliance with the Pollution Control Board norms. If the pilot project is successful, it can be replicated and urban local bodies need not spend huge amount on maintenance of dump yards. Mahesh Kumar said, “This is the first project of its kind in Andhra Pradesh. If successful, the expansion of plasma technology will significantly simplify waste management in urban local bodies, and there will be no need to set up dump yards on vast tracts of land, incurring a huge expenditure.” Amalapuram Municipal Commissioner V Nirmal Kumar noted that garbage disposal has become a complicated P4 issue in the town.